delegate
/ˈdɛl.ɪ.ɡɪt/ (n.) · /ˈdɛl.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ (v.)A person who is chosen or sent to represent a group, organization, or country at a meeting, conference, or event. A delegate usually speaks or votes on behalf of others.
- Each country sent a delegate to the international trade summit.
- She was elected as the union's delegate for the annual conference.
- The delegates voted on the new company policy together.
To give a task, duty, or responsibility to someone else, especially someone who works under you. When you delegate, you also pass on the authority needed to complete that task.
- A good manager knows how to delegate work to her team.
- He delegated the budget report to his assistant.
- Learning to delegate is an important leadership skill.
Adinary Nuance
Delegate vs. assign vs. entrust: these three are close, but not the same. When you assign a task, you tell someone to do it — but you keep control over how. When you delegate, you hand over both the task and the authority to handle it independently. Entrust adds an emotional layer — it emphasizes faith and confidence in the person. In business writing, "delegate" is the preferred word when a manager gives ownership of a task to a team member, not just instructions. Using "assign" in that context sounds more like micromanagement, while "delegate" implies genuine empowerment.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phó thác
- Spanish
- delegar
- Chinese
- 委派
- Japanese
- 委任
- Korean
- 위임
Etymology
From Latin "delegare," meaning "to send away as a representative," combining "de-" (away) and "legare" (to send or appoint). The word entered English in the 15th century, first as a noun, then as a verb.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'delegate' and 'assign' in business English?
- When you assign a task, you tell someone what to do but stay in control. When you delegate, you give the person both the task and the authority to make decisions about it. Delegation involves more trust and ownership.
- Is 'delegate' a formal word?
- It sits in a neutral-to-formal register. It is common in business, politics, and professional writing. In casual conversation, people might say 'hand off' or 'pass on' instead, but 'delegate' is not stiff or unusual in everyday professional speech.
- Can 'delegate' be used as both a noun and a verb?
- Yes. As a noun (pronounced DEL-ih-git), it means a person representing a group — 'She was the company delegate.' As a verb (pronounced DEL-ih-gayt), it means to pass on a task — 'Please delegate this to your team.'
- How do I use 'delegate' in a professional email?
- You might write: 'I have delegated this matter to Priya, who will follow up with you directly.' It signals that someone else now has the authority and responsibility to handle the issue.